Fundamental Forces In the
Universe
We mentioned
that the laws of physics in the universe originated
after the Big Bang. These laws are based on
the "four fundamental forces" known
to modern physics today. These forces were formed
along with the formation of the first sub-atomic
particles at specifically appointed times in
the immediate aftermath of the Big Bang to form
the entire order and system of the universe.
Atoms, which make up the material universe,
owe their existence and extremely even distribution
across the universe to the interaction of these
forces. These forces are the force of mass attraction
known as the gravitational force, the electromagnetic
force, the strong nuclear force, and the weak
nuclear force. All have a distinct intensity
and field of impact. The strong and weak nuclear
forces operate only at the sub-atomic scale.
The remaining two - the gravitational force
and the electromagnetic force - govern assemblages
of atoms, in other words "matter."
The flawless order on the earth is the outcome
of the highly delicate proportion of these forces.
A comparison of those forces produces a very
interesting result. All the matter that was
created and dispersed across the universe following
the Big Bang was shaped by the effect of these
forces, which have wide gulfs between them.
Below are the stunningly different values of
these forces shown in international standard
units:
These fundamental
forces allow the formation of the material universe
through a perfect distribution of power. This
proportion between the forces is based on such
a delicate balance that they can cause the due
effect on particles only at these particular
proportions.
1.
The Giant Power in the Nucleus:
The Strong Nuclear Force
Up to this
point, we reviewed how the atom was created
moment by moment and the delicate balances acting
in this creation. We saw that everything around
us, including ourselves, is made up of atoms
and these atoms consist of many particles. What
then is the force that holds all the particles
that form the nucleus of the atom together?
This force, which keeps the nucleus intact,
and which is the most powerful force defined
by the laws of physics, is the "strong
nuclear force".
This force
ensures that the protons and neutrons in the
nucleus of the atom stay together without flying
apart. The nucleus of the atom is formed in
this way. This force is so strong that it almost
causes the protons and neutrons within the nucleus
to bind to each other. This is why the minute
particles that possess this force are called
"gluon" meaning "glue" in
Latin. The strength of this bond is adjusted
very sensitively. The intensity of this force
has been specifically arranged to provide that
the protons and neutrons keep at a certain distance
to each other. If this force had been just slightly
stronger, the protons and the neutrons would
bump into each other. If this force had been
slightly weaker, they would be dispersed. This
force has just the proper degree required for
the formation of the nucleus of the atom after
the first seconds of the Big Bang.
The
Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings were indicative
of how destructive the strong nuclear force
becomes once it is liberated. The only reason
atomic bombs, which will be reviewed in more
detail in the chapters ahead, are so effective
is the liberation of tiny amounts of this force
hidden in the nucleus of the atom.
2.
Safety Belt of the Atom:
the Weak Nuclear Force
One of the
most important factors maintaining order on
the earth is the balance within the atom. This
balance ensures that things do not suddenly
fall apart or emit harmful radiation. The "weak
nuclear force" is responsible for this
balance between protons and neutrons in the
nucleus of the atom. This force plays an important
role in maintaining the equilibrium of the nuclei
that contain high numbers of neutrons and protons.
As this balance
is maintained, a neutron, if required, may be
changed into a proton. Since the number of protons
in the nucleus changes at the end of this process,
the atom changes too and becomes a different
atom. Here, the result is very significant.
An atom transforms into a different atom without
disintegrating and continues its existence.
This safety belt protects living organisms against
the dangers that would otherwise arise from
particles breaking free uncontrollably and giving
harm to people.
3.
The Force That Keeps Electrons in Orbit:
The Electro-magnetic Force
The discovery
of this force ushered in a new age in the world
of physics. It was then understood that each
particle bears "an electrical charge"
according to its own structural characteristics
and that a force exists between these electrical
charges. This force provides that particles
with opposite electrical charges attract each
other and particles with the same charge repel
each other, therefore ensuring that the protons
in the nucleus of the atom and the electrons
travelling in the orbits around it attract each
other. In this way, the "nucleus"
and the "electrons", the two basic
elements of the atom, stay together.
The slightest
change in the strength of this force would cause
electrons to shoot away from the nucleus or
to fall into the nucleus. In both cases, it
would become impossible for the atom and therefore,
the material universe to exist. Yet, from the
first moment this force formed, the protons
in the nucleus attracted the electrons at the
exact force required for the formation of the
atom thanks to the value of this force.
One
can stay in an environment without
gravity only for a certain period
using special equipment. Living beings
can only survive in a system where
gravity exists. |
 |
4. The Force Holding
the Universe Together:
The Gravitational Force
Being the only force
we can ordinarily perceive, it is also the
one about which we know least. Commonly known
as gravity, this force is actually called
the "mass attraction force". Although
it is the least powerful force compared to
the other forces, by it very large masses
attract each other. This force is the reason
why the galaxies and stars in the universe
stay in each other's orbits. The earth and
other planets remain in a certain orbit around
the sun again with the help of this gravitational
force. We are able to walk on the earth because
of this force. If there were a decline in
the value of this force, the stars would fall,
the earth would be ripped from its orbit and
we would be dispersed from the earth into
the space. In the case of the slightest increase,
the stars would collide with each other, the
earth would run into the sun and we would
be pulled into the earth's crust. These may
seem very remote possibilities to you now
but they would be inevitable if this force
had deviated from its present value even for
a very short time.
All scientists doing
research on this subject admit that the precisely
determined values of these fundamental forces
are crucial for the existence of the universe.
Supreme design and perfect order prevail
in the entire universe governed by these
fundamental forces. The Owner of this
order is, beyond doubt, Allah, Who created
everything flawlessly out of nothing.
Isaac Newton (1642-1727), the father
of modern physics and celestial mechanics,
who is recognized as "one of the
greatest scientists who ever lived"
draws attention to this fact:
"This most beautiful system of
the sun, planets, and comets could only
proceed from the counsel and dominion
of an intelligent and powerful Being.
This Being governs all things, not as
the soul of the world, but as Lord over
all, and on account of His dominion.
He is wont to be called Lord God, Universal
Ruler." |
Addressing this point,
the famous molecular biologist Michael Denton
states in his book Nature's Destiny: How
the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose in the
Universe:
“假如地面引力強10萬億的話，那麼，宇宙的規模會很小，壽命也不會很長的。一個星星的體積比目前的太陽會小10萬億倍，壽命只會是一年，另一方面，假如地面引力哪怕是弱一點點的話，任何一個星星或者銀河系都不會形成。其他力之間的平衡也是至關重要的。假如強核動力弱一點點的話，那麼，宇宙的唯一物質將會是氫氣，不會為生任何一個原子。假如強核動力比電磁力強一點點的話，那麼，宇宙的唯一成份將是擁有兩個中子的一個原子，這種情況下，在宇宙不會存在氫氣、星星河銀河系。即便它們成形了，它們的結構會不同於現在的樣子。簡而言之，這樣的基本力和關鍵因素不具備目前之標準的話，星星、衛星和原子都不會形成，生命也不會出現的。”23
Renowned physicist
Paul Davies states his admiration for the
predetermined values of the laws of physics
in the universe:
When one goes on to
study cosmology, incredulity mounts. Recent
discoveries about the primeval cosmos oblige
us to accept that the expanding universe has
been set up in its motion with a cooperation
of astonishing precision.2
Supreme design and
perfect order prevail in the entire universe
constructed on a foundation provided by these
fundamental forces. The owner of this order
is, beyond doubt, Allah, Who created everything
flawlessly out of nothing. Allah, the Lord
of all the worlds, holds the stars in their
orbits with the weakest of forces, and holds
together the nucleus of the minute atom with
the strongest of forces. All forces act according
to the "measures" He has determined.
Allah refers to the order in the creation
of universe and the equilibriums "determined
most exactly" in one of His verses:
